An extraordinary vista of the Hudson River Valley can now be enjoyed by more visitors thanks to a recently completed accessibility project at Grant Cottage State Historic Site.

Perched high on Mount McGregor, Grant Cottage is where Ulysses S. Grant spent the final weeks of his life completing his memoirs. Today, visitors can explore the historic cottage and grounds and take in the sweeping view that Grant himself saw during his final days. The Eastern Overlook offers a stunning vantage point, with views stretching across the Hudson Valley toward the Adirondacks, Green Mountains, Berkshires, and, on a clear day, the Catskills.

Thousands of visitors make their way to the overlook each season, following a narrow paved path to what is often called “Grant’s Final View.” But the path’s steep grade and years of wear made the journey challenging for some visitors. A newly completed accessible pathway is changing that, creating a smoother, more welcoming route to the overlook and making it possible for more people to experience the view.

The project started with a $36,000 Park and Trail Partnership Grant, matched with $4,000 in private funds. That initial investment allowed the Friends of the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage, the nonprofit organization that manages the site’s day-to-day operations, to develop the design and engineering plans for an ADA-accessible pathway.

During the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, Friends Operations Manager Ben Kemp shared how he had seen firsthand the challenges the old path presented for visitors. With the plans complete, the Friends returned to Parks & Trails New York two years later to seek construction funding through the Park and Trail Partnership Program.

That second round of support helped turn the plans into reality. The $337,000 project was completed this year and celebrated with an official ribbon cutting in September, giving visitors a new way to reach one of the site’s most memorable views.

The celebration brought together partners and supporters who helped make the project possible. New York State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser commended the Friends group and highlighted the longstanding partnership between the state agency and the nonprofit. And New York State Representative Carrie Woerner of the 113th District also recognized Grant Cottage’s important role in drawing visitors to the region.

For Parks & Trails New York, the project represents more than an improved pathway. It’s an example of what can happen when communities, Friends groups, and public agencies work together to make New York’s public lands more accessible.

At PTNY, we believe public lands are for everyone. Through our work advocating for parks and greenways, connecting communities, strengthening the network of park and trail stewards, and sharing the awe of nature, we work to ensure that more people can experience the places that make New York special.

The Park and Trail Partnership Grant Program is an important part of that work. Now providing $2.65 million in annual funding, the program supports the more than 70 Friends groups that care for New York’s state parks, historic sites, and other public lands. Projects like the new pathway at Grant Cottage show how that investment can remove barriers and open up new experiences.